The South Bend Area Genealogical Society wishes to thankfully acknowledge the author of this massive and very excellent research database, Mr. Norbert P. Cramer of St. Joseph, Michigan. It represents over 30 years of Mr. Cramer’s dedicated work in indexing records from 55 sources in the Michiana area. Comprising seven tables of vital records, it is surname indexed either by common spelling or by soundex. The database is a source database, i.e., by surname will guide the researcher to where the records are located, most being in area newspaper archives.

Mr. Cramer was born in LaPorte, Indiana, served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, graduated with an Engineering degree from Purdue University, and enjoyed most of his professional career as a Product Engineer and Laboratory Manager with the Whirlpool Corporation of Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Mr. Cramer’s genealogy credentials are lengthy and respected. He is a Professional Genealogist, was President of the Berrien County Genealogical Association, and was an editor and publisher of several books related to Berrien County, Michigan, genealogical records. He worked extensively with early computerization of vital records of the area, creating “Michiana Genealogical Index” a computerized index of birth, death, marriage, cemetery, license, divorce and ancestor files. Having researched throughout Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota, Mr. Cramer has been a presenter of genealogy programs throughout the Michiana area.

We present this database on our website with our Society’s grateful appreciation of the lifetime dedication of Mr. Norbert P. Cramer to preserving family history records of our area.